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Carbonate pore systems: porosity/permeability relationships and geologic analysis

Conference · · Am. Assoc. Pet. Geol., Bull.; (United States)
OSTI ID:6527012

The porosity/permeability relationships of the common carbonate rock types have been studied, with emphasis on the variety of pore types in upward-shoaling grainstone sequences including: Smackover, Lansing, Salem, and San Andres Formations. A result of these studies is an improved conceptual understanding of permeability gained from the cross-plotting of porosity and permeability data from plugs and whole cores accompanied by textural and fabric analyses of rock samples, thin sections, serial sections, and pore casts. Once the depositional texture and fabric of the rock are defined in terms of porosity and permeability, the evaluation of fractures and secondary porosity can be addressed. The secondary porosity is observed to be as high as 14% of the rock volume in the Smackover example and 21% of an oolitic sample from the Lansing Formation. Pore casts and serial sections reveal that the grain-moldic porosity is poorly connected to the intragranular pore system and contributes little to the permeability of the rock. This insight allows quantitative estimates of this type of secondary porosity using standard porosity and permeability data. The geologic and quantitative analysis of the various pore types and porosity/permeability relationships also aided in the interpretation of the log data from the reservoirs studied.

Research Organization:
Schlumberger-Doll Research, Ridgefield, CT
OSTI ID:
6527012
Report Number(s):
CONF-8405216-
Journal Information:
Am. Assoc. Pet. Geol., Bull.; (United States), Journal Name: Am. Assoc. Pet. Geol., Bull.; (United States) Vol. 68:4; ISSN AAPGB
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English

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